Fundraising Campaign: Your Help Needed!!
For decades, noted Black historians and cultural scientists such as Dr. Charles Finch, Dr. Molefi Kete Asane, and Dr. Edward Robinson have associated cultural identity with academic performance. The African American Cultural Society has been approved for the first phase of a grant by the Gannett Foundation: USA Today, to help us improve the academic performance of our youth by teaching the history and culture of Nile Valley Africans. To secure up to $100,000 funding for this grant, the AACS must raise $3,000 by August 13, 2021.
Anything you contribute, as well as revenue from new memberships and renewal of expired memberships, will count toward our goal. If you are not a member, join TODAY! If you have not renewed your membership, renew TODAY! If you are already a member or do not wish to join, please contribute whatever you can to help us reconstruct the historical memory of our youth.
The Youth Black History Program Article in the Palm Coast Observer
Jeanette B. Wheeler
Once again, the Youth Black History Committee and the AACS youth delivers. The 2021 Youth Black History Reality Program was a huge success. The Youth Black History Program participants present an annual program to the community reflecting what they have learned about Black History. Scholarships are awarded to qualifying high school graduates. The Committee members are Jeanette B. Wheeler, Chairperson, Richard Barnes, Patricia Bottoms, Redonia Johnson, Melba McCarty, Harriett A. Whiting, and Annette Williams. With substantial contributions from Rob Whiting.
Here is a Palm Coast Observer article written by, Samira Taite-Headspeth, an AACS youth, about this year’s scholarship winner. Determined, optimistic, passionate: Youth Black History Reality Program gives three scholarships | Palm Coast Observer
Smarter By Nature July Newsletter! | African Spinach Recipe Inside!
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Juneteenth
The African American Cultural Society, Inc. (AACS) aacspalmcoast.org is pleased to host our annual Juneteenth Program virtually for the second time. With this video we hope to increase your knowledge of Juneteenth and acknowledge the tremendous achievements and contributions of people who are of African descent. In addition, we wish to bring human beings across the globe closer, while we watch this program in celebration of Freedom for All. The video will premiere at midnight. Take a quick 30 minute journey through history with some entertainment. We hope you enjoy!!! And as always thanks for watching.
Two Women’s Readiness to Co-Found the Newsletter
Gertrude Blackwell
The African American Cultural Society’s (AACS) newsletter came on the heels of both Ida Sharpe (1933-2002) and Gertrude Blackwell’s (1918-2012) readiness to co-found the publication. Mrs. Sharpe and Mrs. Blackwell are part of the African American Cultural Society’s initiative honoring women who have made the African American Cultural Society a success.
Ida Sharpe
Both the chairman and the editor had tools: Mrs. Sharpe was formerly the Administrative Director of Social Services for the New York City managerial staff. She served as President of the East Central Florida Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, and was formerly a member of the AACS Board of Directors.
Wonderful News!! Our NEW roof is complete. We are grateful for all the hard work done by our Board of Directors led by Chairman Edmund G. Pinto, Jr., and our Executive Board lead by President Joe Matthews. We offer our heartfelt thanks to Blanche Valentine, our Center Administrator, for all the workarounds she had to do to keep the Center going. You can show your appreciation by donating to the Maintenance Reserve Fund.
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Here is the Status of our Fundraising Projects. Please Consider Donating to our Maintenance Reserve Fund 2021 Campaign and Help with the Effort to Increase our Membership
AACS Salutes Women who have led the organization over the past 30 years.
Stephanie Ecklin is the youngest person to have been elected in a leadership role at AACS. She served as President from 1/2014-12/2015. Stephanie’s focus as president was bringing young people into the organization, she understood the importance of leaving a legacy. Stephanie has often given back to her community and was commended for being among Flagler County Leaders in working with FEMA to distribute aid after Hurricane Matthew. She has always been an advocate for youth fostering multiple youth programs. She states that, “I think its essential (students) know their talent is not in vain”. Stephanie was publisher of “Our Voices Thrive” (OVT) Teen Magazine, administrator for a youth after school program in partnership with the Flagler County School System, chairperson for the Flagler County NAACP ACT-SO, an achievement program for youth. She was also instrumental in bringing the Boys and Girls Club to Flagler County and was the director at their Rymfire/Palm Coast branch of the Volusia/Flagler Boys and Girls Club. Currently she serves as regional manager for Child Protective Services of the Connecticut Judicial Branch for Juvenile matters.
First women to hold a top leadership role in AACS:
Jacqueline Browne, Chairperson 1995 – 1998
A retired educator and a graduate of Hunter College in NYC where she earned a BA & MS degree, Jackie also earned a diploma in public service at St. John’s University. After more than 25 years at the Board of Education, she elevated herself to Deputy Superintendent and Admin Superintendent before retiring as community Superintendent of District 25 in NYC. She also served as vice president of the NY Association of School Superintendents and has held seats on numerous boards. Contributing toward organizing the structure of the AACS not long after it was initially formed in 1991, Jackie was instrumental in developing the prospectus which would aid in moving the AACS toward land ownership and funding the building of our current facility. After her leadership role chairing the Board of Directors at AACS Jackie took the lead in reorganizing the local branch of the NAACP. She became their first-elected Branch 5147 president. The Jacqueline A. Browne Memorial Golf Tournament became a fundraiser formed in her honor after her death to commemorate her contribution to the organization.
Ed Brown, Chairman AACS Africa Study Group Travels to Ghana Dec 2018
AACS recognizes Ghana’s 64 years of independence on 3/8/2021.
Ghana Independence Day
Ghana Independence Day
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African American Cultural Society
The mission and purpose of the African American Cultural Society, Inc. is to preserve and perpetuate the cultural heritage of African Americans through educational, artistic, intellectual and social activities and services deemed to be in the best interests of the entire community.
AACS Membership has its benefits
AACS educates and interprets our rich African American culture.
AACS owns the beautiful Cultural Center building and five surrounding acres.
AACS is a repository to preserve our history of African American accomplishments.
AACS evidences our concern for our youth by offering training, programs, and relevant activities.
AACS perpetuates our culture through the presentation of visual and performing arts.
Jeanette Wheeler
Periodically, we highlight one of our most productive members, this month’s selection is Mrs. Jeanette Wheeler. Jeanette is currently the Chairwoman of the Youth Black History Committee. This Committee has raised and distributed over $82,000 in scholarship since its inception. She is also a member of the Public Affairs Committee, the Membership Committee, and a past member of the AACS Board of Directors. The following is an excerpt from an article, dated March 8, 2018, from the Palm Coast Observer:
“Jeanette Wheeler has been an activist for equality her entire life.
Her passion for civic engagement led her to found the Youth Black History Reality Program in Flagler County through the African American Cultural Society. The program recently celebrated its 15th year of teaching local African American students about their culture and inspiring them to strive for success.
Wheeler said the inaugural program held in February 2003 filled the AACS center on U.S. 1 from wall to wall, as curiosity for something new piqued an interest in the community.”
News
The Links Incorporated presents Covid-19 protection face shields to the AACS
Anita Jackson, second from the right, of the Daytona Beach, Florida Chapter of The Links Incorporated presents Covid-19 protection face shields to the African American Cultural Society (AACS) on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at [...]
The Kingdom of Oyotunji
Jean Tanner The AACS member extraordinaire, Jean Tanner, bought to my attention the village of Oyotunji: "Oyotunji African village was founded in 1970 in Sheldon, South Carolina by Walter Eugene King. It [...]
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WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AACS
“As a Founding Member, I am very proud of what we accomplished in the early days. There were many sleepless nights as we grappled with how to get the land and how to pay for construction. All the issues were worked out, and the results is this beautiful building you see here today. I invite you to become a member today”
“As original lifetime members, Elva and I were involved from the very beginning. Jim was a member of the “Construction Cabinet” that supervised the overall construction from permitting to final occupancy. Elva was a member of the group that wrote the charter and bylaws and got the approval from the State. We highly recommend AACS as a place to enrich your heritage”
“As chairperson of the membership committee, I encourage all to become members to help perpetuate African American cultural experience. Among the reasons to join are: AACS educates and interprets our history, AACS promotes and celebrates the accomplishments of African Americans, AACS provides exciting, trips, social events, lectures, and many other activities.”
“Dee and I have used the African American Cultural Society facilities for a few years now to conduct our meetings and other events. The building is beautiful and the administered staff is great to work with. We highly recommend it for your next event.
“I recently moved to Florida from California. As an outgoing people person, I was looking for an organization that offers social activities as well as cultural enrichment activities. AACS more than meets both requirements. I am glad I became a member.”
“We all wanted a place to call our own. Originally, the idea was to create a social club. But some of us wanted something more along the lines of a cultural club. The African American Cultural Society was born after considerable discussion. The result of the early discussion is what you see now; a place to celebrate our heritage.”